Ancient Words For Today - 58
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1Timothy 6:6-12
Paul taught that we should learn to be content with what we have instead of lusting after what we don't have but want. In fact, covetousness is a sin that Paul himself admitted he had a problem with. He didn't realize that his lust for things was a sin until he read and understood God's 10th commandment:
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. Exodus 20:17
Here is Paul's confession concerning this issue: What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. Romans 7:7-13
Towards the end of Paul's ministry, he had made great strides in suppressing his covetousness. Addressing the elders at the Church at Ephesus, he declared:
I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive". Acts 20:33-35
In this God-blessed country, even those considered poor have much more than most people do elsewhere in the world. Nevertheless, it is difficult to find individuals who are truly content with what they have and with their circumstances. Instead of desiring more of what we already have or lusting after things we don't have, it would be far better to share what we do have with others who have genuine needs. Whether that be our money, skills, wisdom, time, or other resources we should be thankful God has given these to us and seek His will for how best to use them for His glory. Even if we have nothing tangible to give, we can always share a smile and express our love to everyone we meet, pray for them, and freely give the most valuable gift in the world - by sharing the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who are in darkness.
If we refocus our life towards loving and meeting the needs of others and seeking out those who are lost and sharing the Gospel with them, we will begin to experience great joy of giving and the peace and contentment that comes from knowing we already have everything we need: we have Jesus!
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 2:2-4